NFL: Patriots' Aaron Dobson building chemistry with Tom Brady

Aaron Dobson turned in his most impressive performance of the season for the Patriots the last time out, in that blowtorching of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The rookie receiver had five receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns, one of which covered 81 yards. That's by far the longest play by a Patriot this season.

But it was his other touchdown catch, one for a more modest 17 yards, which best exemplifies Dobson's improvement in chemistry class with professor Tom Brady through the first nine games of the season.

That one came on a back-shoulder throw.

"It was great coverage recognition," Brady said, "and those are things that the more you do as quarterback-receiver or quarterback-tight end, they know kind of when I'm looking and when there will be a great opportunity for them to get the ball."

It's a play Dobson had nominal experience with prior to entering the NFL as a second-round pick in April. And it showed in a loss to the New York Jets in Week 7 as his indecisiveness turned a good matchup into a bad play, leaving Brady visibly frustrated.

That wasn't an issue two weeks later against the Steelers. Dobson recognized cornerback Randall Gay had placed himself in a disadvantageous position, meaning Brady had already seen the same thing and the ball was in the air.

"You have to see what he sees basically," Dobson explained. "If the corner is on top of you, you just have to be cognizant that, 'OK, he might back-shoulder it.' "

Then it comes down to quickly turning, spotting the ball, and making the necessary in-air adjustments. Dobson did that all in one swift motion and was rewarded with a score.

"So once you kind of think (like Brady) and you see (the ball), it's easier to adjust to it and still get on top of the defender," Dobson said.

Dobson, who made a one-handed catch at Marshall that has gotten more than two million views on YouTube, said adjusting his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame is actually the simplest part of the play.

"I think that's one of the real (strong) parts of my game, body control and going and getting the ball," he said. "I feel like I do that well."

The back-shoulder throw is one of utmost faith between quarterback and receiver. The fact Brady has confidence in Dobson to execute the play successfully had the 22-year-old smiling.

"It makes me excited that he's starting to trust me a little more, so I feel like we're definitely getting on the same page," Dobson said. "It's definitely a learning curve, but I've been working hard and I feel like we gain more and more trust every day and every week."

Dobson, drafted in the second round with the 59th overall pick, ranks fifth among rookie receivers in receptions (31) and receiving yards (454). He's tied for second with four touchdowns.

Facts worth knowing...

Danny Woodhead, now of the Chargers, leads all running backs with a career-high 53 catches. His previous best was 40 in 16 games with the Patriots last season. … The combined win percentage (.944) of the Chiefs (9-0) and Broncos (8-1) in tonight's marvelous matchup is the highest for a game this late in the season since the AFL merger in 1970. … Antonio Gates of the Chargers needs six receptions and 67 yards to join Tony Gonzalez (1,289, 14,773), Jason Witten (853, 9,480) and Shannon Sharpe (815, 10,060) as the only tight ends in league history with 700 catches and 9,000 yards. … Brady has thrown 41 touchdown passes in 17 "Monday Night Football" games. That total ranks fourth all-time behind Dan Marino (74 TDs in 38 games), Brett Favre (69 in 38) and Steve Young (42 in 25).

Inside the lines

Some quick hits and (hopefully) useful numbers with regard to this week's games: The Jets have won nine of the past 11 meetings with the Bills, including a 27-20 decision in September. They're 4-1 in their last five trips to Buffalo. … The Browns have won two straight against the Bengals, including a 17-6 decision in September, after dropping seven of the eight previous meetings. The Bengals are 4-0 at home… The Eagles have lost 10 straight home games, including four this season. They're 3-20 (.130) against the number in their last 23 home games. The Redskins are 5-1 (.833) against the number in their last six trips to Philadelphia. … The Falcons have won eight of the past 10 meetings with the Buccaneers, who are coming off their first win of the season. … The last 10 meetings between the Chargers and Dolphins have come in under the total. … The Giants, winners of three straight after opening 0-6, pounded the Packers, 38-10, last season in New York. … The Saints and 49ers have combined to score 52, 58, 47 and 48 points in their last four meetings. … The Seahawks, who host the Vikings, are 12-3 (.800) against the number in their last 15 home games. … The Chiefs are 2-2 in their last four trips to Denver, although the losses were by 35 and 20 points. KC's Andy Reid was 13-1 (.929) following the bye as coach of the Eagles. Conversely, Peyton Manning is 8-0 as a Bronco versus the AFC West. ... Teams on the bye: Dallas, St. Louis. And how those coming off it have historically fared: New England (14-10), Cleveland (7-12), Kansas City (13-11), New York Jets (12-12).

Fourth and one

Some random thoughts in no particular order:

•It's going to be interesting to see what Ed Reed has left. Personally, I think very little. I also doubt his instinctive style of play — which is a nice way to say freelancing — would have gone over well in New England.

•Of the eight defending division champions, only one currently resides in first place with seven weeks to play. That would be your New England Patriots.

•According to the great R.J. Bell, it has been nearly four years since the Patriots failed to cover the spread as an underdog.

•Patriots guard Logan Mankins, weighing in on the Panthers' potent pass rush: "It seems like a defensive meeting at the quarterback."

•You know you're in Southern California when you see bowls of sliced jalapenos and salsa next to the scrambled eggs at the breakfast buffet.

Material use in this report was collected from personal interviews, wire services, Web sites, and league and team sources. Contact Rich Garven at rgarven@telegram.com.